Knife.
Hatchet. Syringe. Blood. And…
…Action!
There’s no mistaking we’re on the set of a horror film. The props are all either dangerous looking or just plain creepy. But they’re all instrumental for the teaser trailer for DEADLY REVISIONS which we are shooting.
Camera and lighting equipment sprawls everywhere;
the house we’re shooting in has been transformed from a tranquil residence to a
surreal cross between an army camp and a tent city. Thick electrical cords span the floors like
black pythons biding their time. C-stands loom like anorexic, cybertronic
aliens waiting to boot up and kill us all.
But Kate Sobol, our Director of Photography, and the
crew skillfully manipulate the aliens into submission: moving, bending and using them to create each
of our shots for the day. With a discerning
artistic eye, Kate takes lights, screens and rods and creates emotion, mood and
magic. It’s a pleasure to watch and work
with.
Actress Dawna Lee Heising proves her commitment
and chutzpah right at the start as she is dragged across the floor in a most
unglamorous fashion for her first shot. She
manages to hold the awkward hand position I’m asking her maintain as she is
dragged repeatedly across the room, alongside the dolly. As a result, the shot looks beautiful. Then, though nervous about how to handle a
syringe, Dawna patiently and precisely follows direction through repeated takes
with the needle. And no one gets stabbed.
The day goes along in similar fashion, shot after
shot. We welcome and take advantage of serendipitous
discoveries and still manage to get through everything on our shot list and end
on time. It’s an exemplary day on an
indie set.
And my dog approved.
